Body garment with visor

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provides a system and method of hoodie assembly. The assembly includes a sweater having a hood member, a releasable visor coupled to the hood member and configured to extend outward from the hood member, an attachment portion in communication with a back edge of the visor, and an attachment member coupled to the attachment portion and the hood member.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to the field of apparel, and more particularly to sweaters and headgear.

2. Description of Related Art

Hoodies are sweaters that have an integrated hood that keeps a user's head warm and further provides additional protection from weather elements. When the user is not using the hood, the user can position the hood around the neck and shoulders of the user. While hoods provide some protection to the user's head from cold weather, rain, and direct sunlight, hoods grant only minimal protection of the user's head through direct skin coverage. For instance, a hood has a hood opening for the user's face, but the hood allows rain and direct sunlight to make contact with the user's face through the hood opening. In some instances, an extended hood with drawstrings may be employed to further block out rain and direct sunlight from entering the hood, but the extended hood blocks the user's view. In other instances, users may additionally employ a ball cap with the hoodie to aid in protecting the user's face; however, if the user desires to remove all head covering, the user must remove both the hoodie and the ball cap and further requires the user to keep the ball cap in hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system of a hoodie assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, an assembly is provided comprising: a sweater having a hood member, a releasable visor coupled to the hood member and configured to extend outward from the hood member, an attachment portion in communication with a back edge of the visor, and an attachment member coupled to the attachment portion and the hood member. The assembly permits attachment and detachment of the visor from the hood member. In further embodiments, a variety of visors may be swapped and attached to the hood member.

Ultimately the invention may take many embodiments. In these ways, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art.

The more important features have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and to ensure that the present contribution to the art is appreciated. Additional features will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of the present application will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the various purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions in so far as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a hoodie assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a hoodie assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of a hood member and a visor of a hoodie assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a releasable visor in a flat configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a releasable visor in a splayed configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

While the embodiments and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the embodiments described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

The system and method in accordance with the present invention overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with traditional hoodies. In particular, the system of the present invention is a hoodie assembly that comprise a sweater having a hood paired with a releasable visor that is attached to the hood using an attachment method. Advantages of this system include added protection to a user's face through the hood's opening from weather elements such as direct sunlight and rain. By having an attached visor to the hood, the user no longer needs to wear a ball cap to add additional protection, and should the user remove the hood from the user's head by positioning the hood around the neck and shoulders of the user, the visor remains intact with the hood, thus removing the need to carry the ball cap in hand. Furthermore, the releasable visor allows the user to detach the visor easily from the hood when the visor is no longer desired, and also allows the user to swap the visor for alternative visors having different shape configurations or designs in order to better suit the user's fashion or functional needs. These and other unique features of the system are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.

The system and method of the present application is illustrated in the associated drawings. As used herein, “system” and “assembly” are used interchangeably. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Additional features and functions are illustrated and discussed below.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate assorted views of components of a hoodie assembly. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of a hoodie assembly. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a visor in a flat configuration and a splayed configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a front view of hoodie assembly 100 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, hoodie assembly 100 is a sweater (i.e., sweater 101) having a hood member (i.e., hood member 103) and a releasable visor (i.e. visor 105). As used herein, a sweater can be, but is not limited to, a pullover sweater, a cardigan sweater, a front zipping sweater, etc. A hood member covers a head of a user, but has a hood opening (i.e., hood opening 107) that exposes a face of the user. In one embodiment, hood member 103 is integrally formed with sweater 101. In alternative embodiments, hood member 103 is detachable from sweater 101. Visor 105 is a releasable visor coupled to hood member 103 that is configured to extent outward from hood member 103 through hood opening 107. When the user is not using the hood, the user can position the hood around the neck and shoulders of the user.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of hoodie assembly 100 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, visor 105 is shown extending outward from hood member 103 through hood opening 107. In this embodiment, visor 105 has an attachment portion (i.e., attachment portion 109) that is in communication with a back edge of the visor and an attachment member (i.e., attachment member 111). Attachment member 111 is coupled to attachment portion 109 and hood member 103. While visor 105 is attached to hood member 103, attachment portion 109 is covered by hood member 103. Attachment member 111 is an attachment device that allows visor 105 and attachment portion 109 to connect and disconnect from hood member 103. Attachment member 111 is further described and illustrated in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross section of a hood member and a visor of hoodie assembly 100 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, visor 105 is shown extending outward from hood member 103 through hood opening 107. In this figure, components of attachment member 111 are further illustrated. Attachment member 111 has at least two parts: an upper part and a lower part. In this embodiment, the upper part (i.e., upper part 111 a) is in communication with hood member 103, and the lower part (i.e., lower part 111 b) is in communication with attachment portion 109. Upper part 111 a and lower part 111 b are releasably detachable from each other. Various attachment devices for attachment member 111 are contemplated. In one embodiment, attachment member 111 is a hook and loop fastener. In another embodiment, attachment member 111 is a snap assembly. For example, upper member 111 a is a female button snap while lower member 111 b is a male button snap, or vice versa. In another embodiment, attachment member 111 are magnetic co-members. In an alternate embodiment, attachment portion 109 of visor 105 is stitched to hood member 103 to permanently attach visor 105 to hood member 103.

In some embodiments, visor 105 comprises an insert wherein the insert can be a flexible material (e.g., plastic) or a rigid material (i.e., a non-flexible material, such a plastic or a metal member that has a thickness that prevents flexing) covered in a fabric. In other embodiments, visor 105 is a plastic or metal member without a fabric covering.

In some embodiments, attachment portion 109 is composed of the same materials as visor 105. For example, both visor 105 and attachment portion 109 comprises a plastic insert with a fabric covering. In alternative embodiments, visor 105 and attachment portion 109 comprise of different materials or different portions of materials. For example, visor 105 comprises a plastic insert with a fabric covering while attachment portion 109 can be, but is not limited to, fabric without a plastic insert, plastic without fabric covering, metal without fabric covering, or metal with fabric covering, etc.

Now referring to a method of using hood assembly 100. In using hood assembly 100, a user puts on a sweater. In one embodiment, the user pulls a pullover sweater over an upper torso of the user, inserts each arm into a corresponding sweater sleeve, and pulls a neck opening of the sweater over a head of the user such that the neck opening rests along a neckline of the user. In another embodiment, the user puts on a front opening sweater (e.g., cardigans front or zipping sweaters) by inserting each arm into a corresponding sweater sleeve and pulling the sweater onto an upper torso of the user such that the sweater is resting on a set of shoulders and a back portion of a neck of the user while a front of the sweater is open such that a front of the upper torso is exposed. In a further embodiment, the user closes the front of the sweater to remove upper torso exposure (e.g., clasping a set of front buttons on a cardigan, or zipping a front zipper on a zipping sweater). Once the user has put on the sweater, a hood member is positioned around the neck and shoulders of the user.

Next, the user raises the hood member. In this embodiment, the raises the hood member by raising the hood member over the head of the user such that a top, a back, and sides of the head are covered by the hood member, thus leaving a front of the head (i.e., face) exposed.

Following the raising of the hood member, the user attaches a releasable visor to a hood member of the sweater. In this embodiment, the user attaches a releasable visor to a hood member by engaging an attachment member between the visor and the hood member. The visor has an attachment portion in communication with a back edge of the visor, wherein the releasable visor is configured to extend outward from the hood member. The attachment portion includes an attachment member coupled in part to both the hood member and the attachment portion to permit selective detachment of the visor. In alternate embodiments, the user attaches the releasable visor to the hood member prior to putting on the sweater.

In further embodiments, the user detaches the releasable visor from the hood member by disengaging the attachment member between the visor and the hood member. In an even further embodiment, reattaches an alternative releasable visor to the hood member by engaging an attachment member between the alternative visor and the hood member. For example, the user first attaches a first visor to the hood member. At a later time, the user decides the first visor is no longer fashionable and/or functional, detaches the first visor from the hood member, and attaches a second visor to the hood member.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a releasable visor in an aligned configuration is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, visor 105 has attachment portion 109 a located on a back edge of visor 105. In this embodiment, attachment portion 109 a is an attachment portion that has a surface that is aligned along a surface of visor 105. As used herein, a “back edge” is an edge of visor 105 that opposes an edge of visor 105 that extends outward from a hood member. In this embodiment, lower member 111 b is in communication with attachment portion 109 a.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a releasable visor in a splayed configuration is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, visor 105 has attachment portion 109 b located on a back edge of visor 105. In this embodiment, attachment portion 109 b is an attachment portion that has a surface that is splayed outward at an angle with respect to a surface of visor 105. As used herein, a “back edge” is an edge of visor 105 that opposes an edge of visor 105 that extends outward from a hood member. In this embodiment, lower member 111 b is in communication with attachment portion 109 b.

In one embodiment, attachment portion 109 a and attachment portion 109 b are the same. In this embodiment, the attachment portion is flexible with respect to the surface of the visor, thus allowing the attachment portion to assume an aligned configuration of attachment portion 109 a or a splayed configuration of attachment 109 b.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hoodie assembly, comprising: a sweater, wherein the sweater has a hood member; a releasable visor coupled to the hood member and configured to extend outward from the hood member; an attachment portion in communication with a back edge of the visor; and an attachment member coupled to the attachment portion and the hood member.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the hood member is integrally formed into the sweater.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the hood member is detachable from the sweater.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the visor is flexible.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the visor is rigid.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the visor and the attachment portion are made from same materials.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the visor and the attachment portion are made from different materials.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is covered by the hood member.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment member has at least two parts, an upper part and a lower part, the upper part in communication with the hood member and the lower part in communication with the attachment portion, the upper part and the lower part being releasably detachable.
 10. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the attachment member is a hook and loop fastener.
 11. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the attachment member is a snap assembly.
 12. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the attachment member are magnetic co-members.
 13. A method of utilizing a hoodie assembly: attaching a releasable visor to a hood member of a sweater, the visor having an attachment portion in communication with a back edge of the visor, wherein the releasable visor is configured to extend outward from the hood member, the attachment portion includes an attachment member coupled in part to both the hood member and the attachment portion to permit selective detachment of the visor.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the attachment member has at least two parts, an upper part and a lower part, the upper part in communication with the hood member and the lower part in communication with the attachment portion, the upper part and the lower part being releasably detachable.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the attachment member is a hook and loop fastener.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the attachment member is a snap assembly.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the attachment member are magnetic co-members.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising: detaching the releasable visor from the hood member based on the attachment member. 